By Selwyn Harris

Nye Communities Coalition (NCC) and local businesses are making an effort to provide teens and young adults with opportunities to learn about education, volunteer opportunities and potential employment.
The program called “Future Fest” is scheduled for Friday July 15, at Pahrump Valley High School’s Ninth Grade Academy.
Tim Wigchers, NCC’s Communication Coordinator, said it’s not your ordinary career fair.
“This is actually kind of targeted at that first job for that 16 to 21 age group. We’re looking for employers, where if they had openings, would be likely to hire that 16 to 21 year old,” he said.
Wigchers has already signed more than a dozen exhibitors to participate at Future Fest.
One such exhibitor is Verizon Wireless.
Store Manager Traci Holliday said she always supports local events benefitting the community.
“There’s not a lot of stuff for kids to do around here, other than trouble, and if I can help lead them in the right direction, it’s important to me. I was on board immediately.” Holliday participated in the  5,000 Kids Project in February and said, “it was a real positive experience.”
During the five-hour program, Wigchers said youths can learn how volunteering their time within the community can develop new skills and knowledge.
“It could be a church, it could be Nathan Adelson Hospice, anybody who is looking for a one-time volunteer opportunity. When people volunteer they follow their heart and they follow their passion,” he said.
A number of educational resources including universities, technical colleges and trade schools will be there to provide information for financial aid and available scholarships when students graduate from high school.
Students can apply for a position from the exhibitors, learn why it’s important to have a good resume on hand and learn to prepare for a job interview.
Even though jobs are not easy to come by due to the economy, Wigchers said opportunities will abound at Future Fest.
“Especially when it comes to the job fair side of it. We understand there are not a lot of openings right now, but it’s important for these young adults to see what a job application looks like and to know how to fill one out. A lot of them don’t even know what a reference is,” he said.
Wigchers said when he first approached local businesses about getting on board, some were a bit apprehensive but eventually embraced the first-time program.
“The job fair angle of this is a little bit different than people are accustomed to so I have to kind of explain. It’s a service to the community where you’re giving these young adults a chance to complete an application and to bring it in. Whether they obtain employment or not, they’re learning a skill,” he said.
Future Fest was made possible through a grant from the Nevada Public Education Foundation.
Nye Communities Coalition Executive Director Stacy Smith said recognition should also be given to the support of community partners.
“AmeriCorp members have assisted with planning and coordination, local media will promote the event and the Nye County School District will help promote Future Fest to students. The business community is a key partner as well,” she said.
In addition to the exhibitors, Wigchers said Future Fest will have several attractions for those who attend the event.
A 40-foot climbing mountain will be set up in the center of the gym with exhibitors around the perimeter. In one corner will be the music of a local youth band and in another you can watch some great movies on a Dance Dance Revolution game.
Both the climbing mountain and DDR will be free and open during the entire event,” Wigchers said.
Lunch and refreshments will be provided for the exhibitors courtesy of Nye Communities Coalition.